Weight And Balance

Question 1

To detrmine the centre of gravity position of your helicopter you divide the total—— by the total——-

Answer 1

Moment
Weight

Question 2

Your helicopter is at its maximum gross weight and the fuel tanks are full. You calculate that the Center of gravity position is near its forward limit. If the planned flight is likely to use most of the fuel on board, where will the centre of gravity be at the end of the flight and how is this likely to affect the attitude of the helicopter during the hover prior to touch down?

Answer 2

COG will move forward as fuel weight decreases. Machine will have a slightly more nose down attitude for the landing.

Question 3

Define the term - arm

Answer 3

Horizontal distance from the datum to the centre of gravity of each item.

Question 4

Define the term datum

Answer 4

Imaginary line determined by the manufacturer from which measurements are taken.

Question 5

Define the term butt line

Answer 5

Centre line down the length of the aircraft

Question 6

Define the term moment

Answer 6

Weight x arm = moment
Multiply the weight by the distance from datum

Question 7

Define the term centre of gravity

Answer 7

Balance point

Question 8

Define the term centre of gravity range and limits

Answer 8

Min and max distance from datum where load values must exist. Load value that have the COG outside this zone will make aircraft unsafe or difficult to handle in various conditions.

Vertical COG refers more often to sling loads, the longer the sling the more significant.

Question 9

Define the term station

Answer 9

Same as arm - horizontal distance from datum to centre of item. Sated as a distance eg +44’’

Question 10

Define the term index units

Answer 10

With moments and weight you can have big numbers in the thousands so we shorten to groups of 1000,
Eg 80,000 becomes 80 IU

Question 11

Define empty aircraft weight

Answer 11

Includes machine lubricants and the fuel in the engine ( not the main fuel tank)

Question 12

Define the term empty aircraft centre of gravity position

Answer 12

Manufacturer states this position in the manual ‘loading data’

Question 13

Basic operating weight

Answer 13

Aircraft, pilot, crew, their luggage and essentials

Question 14

Define the term Payload

Answer 14

Passengers, their luggage, commercial load.

Question 15

Define the term Zero fuel weight

Answer 15

Basic weigh plus payload

Question 16

Define the term ramp weight

Answer 16

Zero fuel weight plus fuel

Question 17

Define the term take off weight

Answer 17

Ramp weight less fuel for start up and taxi

Question 18

Define the term landing weight

Answer 18

Take off weight less fuel consumed in flight

Question 19

Define the term centre of gravity envelope

Answer 19

Manufacture provides graph for entering values in to determine that COG sits in safe range